Features

Insight-Driven

DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PATIENTS + CLINICIANS

The Empath recliner is a crucial step forward in the health proces – one developed entirely from real-world insights based on thousands of hours of observation and analysis. Its design considers the needs of both patients and clinicians as primary users.

Across healthcare applications, Empath is designed to reduce stress and the potential for injury for both patients and clinicians while increasing physical and emotional connectedness.

In an exam room.

Easing Patient Transfer

MINIMIZE STRAIN + STRESS

For clinicians, moving patients from bed to chair is inherently difficult due to patient limitations and the number of times these transfers are performed. Empath eases this process.

Easy-Access Arms

Empath dual flip-down arms allow for easy access no matter where the chair is positioned.

Convenient Central Lock

The central locking system has easy-to- activate pedals, located where clinicians need them – tucked in toward the front, on both sides of the chair.

Suited for Many Spaces

VERSATILITY + QUALITY

The Empath recliner offers the safety, versatility and quality needed to serve a number of healthcare environments. With both essential and advanced features, it adapts to a wide range of uses in patient rooms, treatment areas, exam spaces, emergency departments and outpatient centers.

Empath adheres to stringent Steelcase standards for durability and performance, with a thorough static and dynamic testing process that exceeds industry standards – for a long product lifespan.

Insights

The Challenge

SAFETY IS A TOP CONCERN

Clinicians and patients both face risks to their safety and comfort – and traditional recliners fail to address the problem.

One in three clinicians surveyed has experienced an injury related to performing patient transfers. –Steelcase Health survey.

Nurses rank second for back injuries suffered on the job, when compared to other professions. –American Nurses Association.

Eighty percent of patient falls occur in the patient room. – University of Pennsylvania Medicine study.

Observation

Our team spent 2,000+ hours observing interactions around patient seating. Then, we surveyed 300+ nurses and other clinicians on their needs and concerns at work.

We saw how conventional recliners caused undue strain and stress for clinicians and their patients. And we found opportunities to improve the experience.

Design Insights

A BETTER HEALTH EXPERIENCE

Guided by these discoveries, we developed Empath as an important tool for clinicians and a step toward wellness for patients. Its user-friendly features help create a safer, higher-quality healthcare experience.

Study on Clinician Needs

Reimagining healthcare spaces begins with insights about what people want and need. This study serves as a starting point to understand the needs of clinicians. It also confirms that the environment has a big effect on people’s experiences, emotions and behaviors.